PROMOTION OF DEMOCRACY AMONG PROMOTION OF DEMOCRACY AMONG PROMOTION OF DEMOCRACY AMONG PROMOTION OF DEMOCRACY AMONG MOGADISHU YOUTH, SOMALIAMOGADISHU YOUTH, SOMALIAMOGADISHU YOUTH, SOMALIAMOGADISHU YOUTH, SOMALIA

PROJECT funded by National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and Implemented

by Somali Youth for Peace and Democracy (SYPD)

PROJECT SUMMARY

More than 50% of the Somali population is either children or youth. Most of them have known nothing but authoritarian rule, civil wars, unrest and bloodshed. The Somali youth have never experienced freedom of expression, the rule of law or a stable system of government since independence in 1960. The main objective of this project, which has entered its second phase, is to create an understanding of democracy among 120 youth living in Mogadishu city by undertaking four workshops on democracy during the project implementation period of February 1st 2007 up to January 30, 2008. Each workshop invites 30 young people drawn from youth groups and clubs based in Mogadishu, and priority is given to youths that are currently serving as militia members or working in militia training camps. Each workshop includes lectures and discussion groups on the genesis of democracy; democracy as a tool for conflict resolution and peace building; the potential role of Somali youth in democratic development; and advancing democracy in a violent country. The topics is delivered in two sessions per day over the course of five days, with a lecture in the morning and participatory discussion group in the afternoon. Each of the four workshops ends with a proposal to create a network of democracy clubs in Mogadishu that will be known as the Youth Movement for Democracy Club (YMDC) earlier January 2008. The YMDC will eventually elect a management team of three members that will be responsible for coordinating day-to-day activities such as sports events, workshops, discussion forums and contests aimed to promote democracy among the youth in Mogadishu. SYPD will provide the basic office materials and location for the club, and will assist the club in gaining the support of other international donor organizations and transitional institutions. Young people in every society are the backbone for positive change as they are the leaders of tomorrow. Through this project, the Somali Youth for Peace and Democracy (SYPD) is attempting to provide Mogadishu’s youth with an alternate model for social and political progress. Despite high tensions in the Mogadishu, SYPD was successful in undertaking the second workshop. So far, 60 young people have learnt about democracy. Each of them has voluntarily admitted to serve as a member of the anticipated YMDC General Assembly and have committed themselves to spread democracy in Mogadishu and Somalia.

We should thank the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) for their financial support and encouragements at all the times. Indeed, without the NED, this project could not be possible. Following are some posters and photos taken from the first workshop held in Mogadishu between March 24th – 28th, 2007.

For More information please contact:

Mr. Shakur Farey

Youth Programs Officer

Somali Youth for Peace and Democracy (SYPD)

Email: info@sypd.org Website: www.sypd.org

Tel: + 2521 5521100 – (+2525961126)